Essay 1

Submitted By jleague
Words: 884
Pages: 4
Open Document
Traditional theologians offered three main arguments for the existence of God. These three arguments are the cosmological argument, teleological argument, and ontological argument. Of these three arguments, the ontological argument is the most plausible argument for the existence of God. The ontological argument has been subjected to many criticisms, many of which can be refuted or counter argued. The ontological argument is the most plausible argument for the existence of God for a few reasons. The ontological argument calls for reasoning within the argument in order to support the conclusion that God exists. The theologian, Saint Anselm, supported his ontological argument by using a priori premises. Anselm “suggested that both atheists and theists should agree that the idea of God is the idea of the greatest being that we can think of” (Rauhut, 176). This premise is based upon reason and as a result, it is separate from premises based on experience. All humans regardless upon theistic stance can agree upon the definition of God whereas premises based upon experience can be refuted by someone who has not had the same experience. Anselm then continues his argument using logic within his next premise by stating that something that exists in reality is greater than something that exists in thought (Rauhut, 177). This premise is plausible because something that exists can provide physical interaction to achieve a change in condition while something thought of in the mind will not change physical condition. For example, drinking warm water that exists will keep you alive longer than thinking of drinking cold water, therefore drinking warm water is better than drinking “cold thought water”. Anselm connects the previous premises with the idea that if God was only a thought, someone can think of something that is greater than God (Rauhut, 177). This premise directly contradicts the common understanding of what the definition of God, illustrated in the first premise. This leads to Anselm’s next premise that if God was only a thought, then we can think of something greater than God, which would be a God that exists. If God is the greatest thing that can exist then God cannot be a thought. God must exist in order to be the greatest being that we can think of. By using the human definition of God and employing logic, Anselm provided a sound argument that a significant portion of humanity can relate with without drawing from the possible bias of personal experiences justifying the existence of God. The most significant criticism to ontological arguments can be attributed to the thoughts of a monk, Gaunilo. Gaunilo challenges ontological arguments by raising the question: if the existence of a perfect being, God, can be established, then can other objects be proved as perfect by using similar reasoning? (Rauhut, 180) Gaunilo’s criticism is known as reduction ad absurdum or an argument that leads to an absurd conclusion. To provide an example of Gaunilo’s reasoning, take the existence of a perfect cheeseburger. The perfect cheeseburger is a cheeseburger in which no other cheeseburgers can be better, but, what if the perfect cheeseburger only exists in the mind? Then wouldn’t a cheeseburger that exists be better than the perfect cheeseburger of the mind? This leads to the notion that if the perfect cheeseburger exists only in the mind, than a cheeseburger that is real is more perfect. In conclusion, the perfect cheeseburger exists in reality. The logic behind Gaunilo’s argument is valid and leads one to realize that in fact, there is something amiss within the ontological argument due
Show More

Related Documents: Essay 1

Essay on 1 1

deaths. Obviously, humans like to imitate biology of other species to make lives easier and more convenient than before. One of the famous psychologists, Susan Blackmore, analyzes why humans like to imitate other things, such as animals, memes, in her essay titled “Strange Creatures”. Blackmore suggests that imitation makes humans different from other species. Then, she introduces a related word, meme that anything is passed on by people, a word, a behavior, an idea and so on. Some characteristics of…

Words 795 - Pages 4

chapter 1 essay 1

Tyra Garrett Psy 2012 Prof. Smith February 5, 2015 Essay 1 Chapter 1 The seven major perspectives are biological, behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive, and evolutionary and last sociocultural. They all allow psychologist to understand behavior and mental processes. Biological approach is where phycologist focus on the brain and the nervous system basically the body. The behavioral approach focuses on observing behavior. The psychodynamic approach emphasizes on unconscious thought…

Words 451 - Pages 2

Essay 1

Ian Munroe Savannah State University Essay 1: Job Satisfaction Ian Munroe Dr. Jun Wu MGNT 3300 8 February 2015 Essay 1: Job Satisfaction As a manager it is essential to understand what makes and keeps employees satisfied with their jobs. A stable work environment where employees feel that their work is meaningful and important is vital for an organization to run at maximum efficiency. Researchers have compiled an extensive amount of data that explains the causes of job satisfaction…

Words 1120 - Pages 5

Of The 1% Essay

Jasmine Allen Nov. 4, 2014 ENC 1101 In class essay 1 Of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1% Stiglitz begins by noting that 25 years ago the richest, 1%, of Americans had 33% of the nations wealth. It took 12% of its yearly income, whereas the corresponding figures today are 40% and almost 25%. He offers reasons to trust that nor will those outcomes for this project of massine upwards redistribution about money. More riches beheld will additionally make increased. The american democracy has become a sham…

Words 498 - Pages 2

Essay 1

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) If you accept this Statement it will open your eyes to the discovery of the God that we truly serve today. The society of the world that we live in today may not understand who God really is. Many fear him because of lack of understanding, some due to their sinful nature, and some who just do not believe he even exist. The God that created all in the beginning is the same God that is alive and being served today all around…

Words 885 - Pages 4

Principles 1 Chapter 1 1 Essay

assignments on-time. Decide this evening what your goal is for this course. Make your goal very specific and devise a plan for achieving that goal. Please be prepared to work and to study REGULARLY. Dr. Ziska Chapter 1 Life: Chemical, Cellular and Evolutionary Foundations CHAPTER 1 OUTLINE/CORE CONCEPTS 1.1 The Scientific Method The scientific method is a deliberate way of asking and answering questions about the natural world. 1.2 Chemical and Physical Principles Life works according to fundamental…

Words 3123 - Pages 13

Essay 1

1.6 Essay Question Exhibit 6 displays four enablers serves as a support for many firms to development of progressive strategies and approaches. It also serves as a support to attain supply chain, purchasing, and organizational objectives. These four pillars also connects with the organization’s requirements and philosophy. Exhibit 1.6 contains 3 sections; Part 1. Business Requirements and Guiding Philosophies Part 2. Four Pillars Part 3 Proative Purchasing and Supply Chain Management Strategies…

Words 2156 - Pages 9

Essay 1

Educational Inspiration My father inspired me to be a successful student 1. Being an Example a) He was the first of go to University and got a degree He paid his studies drawing portraits of student in the university corridor b) He has financial Freedom He expends his time on things that he really wants like travel or study another language. 2. Telling me about life lessons a) He gives me lessons about other people He tells me stories about successful people, and how can finish their studies…

Words 1158 - Pages 5

ACC500Sept2014Syllabus 1 1 Essay

all courses at SNHU; excessive absences may result in failure or withdrawal from courses. More than three absences may be excessive. ACC500 Managerial Accounting Course Outline 9/2/14 Managerial Accounting & The Business Organization Chapter 1 Understanding Corporate Annual Reports Chapter 16 9/9/14 Understanding Corporate Annual Reports Chapter 16 Analysis of Financial Statements Chapter 17 p 724 through EOC 9/16/14 Introduction to Cost Behavior & Cost Volume Relationships Chapter…

Words 970 - Pages 4

essay 1 draft 1

Alan Xie Prof Anna Striedter Grammar 28 November 3, 13 Midterm (revision) We lived in a modern-perfect world that the racialism, the discrimination and most of other historical conflicts, which impeded the development of human society, had been solved. Today, people won’t treat you differently from others because of your skin or gender. The society seems becoming more and more ideal. However, nowadays it seems like it is harder for people to get outstanding accomplishment. Cause you were not…

Words 679 - Pages 3